No condition to reconciliation among Naga groups: Muivah DNA via PTI
No condition to reconciliation among Naga groups: Muivah DNA via PTI
Tseminyu (Nagaland): There should not be any condition to re-conciliation among the Naga groups and the Nagas must strive for political settlement with the Centre based on their unique history and situation, NSCN(I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah has said.
The on-going re-conciliation must revolve around the Naga people's aspirations for an 'honourable' settlement of the prolonged conflict based on the unique history and situation, he told a gathering here after his arrival from Pughoboto in Zunheboto district yesterday.
The history and situation of the Nagas was recognised by the Centre during peace negotiations in 2001 and both sides expressed their commitment towards finding a negotiated settlement which would be honourable and acceptable to both, Muivah, now on peace mission to different parts of Nagaland, said.
The 'much needed' reconciliation among the Nagas is a 'spiritual as well as political journey' and there would be no difficulty with the Naga underground groups once it is understood and accepted, he said and called upon the people to stand firm on their political beliefs and principles.
Muivah also praised the contribution made by the Rengma Nagas, inhabitants of Tseminyu sub-division in Kohima district before leaving for Wokha to interact with Lotha Naga community on the re-conciliation process as part of his peace mission.
Hundreds of people were seen waiting on the roadside to greet the Naga leader.
At Wokha Muivah told newsmen that he wished to visit as many Naga areas as he could at one go as he believed that for reconciliation the people must first understand the issues involved in the political struggle.
He said his interactions with villagers in the past few weeks were very encouraging because they supported the Naga cause.
NSCN(I-M) officials said after staying a few days at Wokha Muivah would travel to Mokokchung and then go to the border district of Tuensang as part of his on-going peace mission undertaken in the first week of May.
Muivah, who arrived in Viswema village near Manipur-Nagaland border on May 5 on way to his birth place in Ukhrul district, had to defer the visit after the Manipur government strongly opposed the move but decided to go to different places in Nagaland on the peace mission.
No condition to reconciliation: Muivah STAFF WRITER PTI
Tseminyu (Nagaland), Jun 26 (PTI) There should not be any condition to reconciliation among the Naga groups and the Naga society must strive for political settlement with the Centre based on their unique history and situation, NSCN(I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah has said.
The on-going Naga peace process must revolve around the Naga people's aspirations for an "honourable" settlement of the prolonged conflict, he told a gathering here after his arrival from Pughoboto in Zunheboto district yesterday.
The history and situation of the Nagas was recognised by the Centre during peace negotiations in 2001 and both sides expressed their commitment towards finding a negotiated settlement which would be "honourable and acceptable to both," Muivah, now on "peace mission" to different parts of Nagaland, said.
Union Minister of North Easter Region: Not Possible to Change Boundaries by Gurpreet Sekhon FV Current Waves
Indicating the Centre's position on the Naga insurgent outfit NSCN insistence for Nagalim, greater Nagaland, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern region, BK Handique on Thursday said that it would not be probable to modify the boundaries of the North Eastern States.
Integration of all Naga-inhabited regions of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland has been a key demand of the Naga militant group, which is engaged in truce discussion with the Centre for over a decade.
It will be tricky to alter the borders of the North Eastern States.
If someone wants a bigger State, then in that case, land will have to be taken from other States.
There will be rigid confrontation to such a move, Handique, who belongs to Assam, said when asked concerning the advancement on the Naga peace talks.
Previously this month, another round of peace talks was held between the Centre and NSCN, where the controversial issue of incorporation of Naga-inhabited areas figured.
On ULFA, Handique said the peace initiatives with the group have commenced in the accurate direction as some very superior leaders of the outfit have shown support to the cooperation to almost urgently end the decades-old rebellion trouble in Assam.
Mao women body for withdrawal of State, IRB forces
morungexpress
Dimapur, June 26 (MExN): The Mao Naga Women Welfare Association (MNWWA) has demanded for the immediate withdrawal of the State forces/IRB presently stationed in Naga areas of Manipur State. In two separate letters addressed to the DC of Senapati one written on June 8 and the other on June 12, the MNWMA demanded that failure to withdraw the forces, the district administration will be held responsible for any untoward incident and that the Mao women will carry on its own course of agitation in the days to come. Further it was informed to the DC that Mao town hall will be observed as a sacred place as per customary law and that no forces whether State or Central will be allowed to stay in the town hall. It was also informed that May 6 will be observed as Black day for the Nagas. It further demanded revocation of the arrest order and price money offered by the Manipur government against the ANSAM and UNC President with immediate effect. Lastly it demanded withdrawal of 144 cr PC from all Naga inhabited areas with immediate effect. The MNWMA President K. Matia stated that Mao women were peace loving people and so long as the armed forces are present in Naga areas, there will be unrest and series of agitation until its demands were met, the representation to the DC stated.
http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/50902.html
Kyong Hoho welcome Muivah’s journey
morungexpress
Dimapur, June 26 (MExN): The Kyong Hoho has welcomed Ato Kilonser Th.Muivah and his lady wife, Kilonsers, Dy. Kilonsers, Steering Committee members, High Ranking Officers Naga Army and the general public gathered at Wokha Town. In a welcome address delivered on the occasion of Muivah’s visit, the Chairman of Kyong Hoho Yansathung Jami extended support for political reconciliation of all Nagas irrespective of any factions, individuals or groups. Telling Muivah that the people were praying that God will grant wisdom during his journey across Nagaland in search of political reconciliation, the Kyong Hoho expressed hope that this will be achieved in due course of time. Pointing out that Wokha was a historical place; the Chairman reminded that several events in Naga political movement had taken place here. It was informed that consequent upon the submission of the memorandum the Simon Commission, the Naga National Council (NNC) was born in 19th and 20th June 1946 at Wokha Town, which was followed by declaration of the Naga Independence on 14th August 1946.
Urges all Naga National Leaders to come together for final political settlement
Further the Naga political leaders felt the need of a Naga Government which eventually resulted in the formation of the Federal Government of Nagaland at Sanis, Wokha District on 12 – 14th June 1956, the Kyong Hoho informed. Likewise, the NBCC convention was held at Wokha on 2 – 4th February1964 which adopted a resolution for the declaration of ceasefire between the GOI and Federal Government of Nagaland which came into being on 6th September 1964. As such, it was pointed out to Muivah that “when ever any decisions are taken in Kyong soil it bears fruit” and that it was optimistic that this visit will bear only a good fruit for the Nagas in general and the Kyongs in particular. “It is clear that the Nagas had been united since 1918 and had equally suffered untold hardship in terms of loss of thousands of precious lives, wealth and properties. Now, today all the Naga National Leaders have resolved to settle Naga political problems with the Government of India, the Kyong community therefore urges all the Naga National Leaders to come together as one and bring about final political settlement”, stated the message of the Kyong Nagas.
No condition to reconciliation among Naga groups: Muivah
Tseminyu, June 26 (PTI): There should not be any condition to re-conciliation among the Naga groups and the Nagas must strive for political settlement with the Centre based on their unique history and situation, NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah has said. The on-going re-conciliation must revolve around the Naga people’s aspirations for an ‘honourable’ settlement of the prolonged conflict based on the unique history and situation, he told a gathering here after his arrival from Pughoboto in Zunheboto district yesterday. The history and situation of the Nagas was recognised by the Centre during peace negotiations in 2001 and both sides expressed their commitment towards finding a negotiated settlement which would be honourable and acceptable to both, Muivah, now on peace mission to different parts of Nagaland, said. The ‘much needed’ reconciliation among the Nagas is a ‘spiritual as well as political journey’ and there would be no difficulty with the Naga underground groups once it is understood and accepted, he said and called upon the people to stand firm on their political beliefs and principles. Muivah also praised the contribution made by the Rengma Nagas, inhabitants of Tseminyu sub-division in Kohima district before leaving for Wokha to interact with Lotha Naga community on the re-conciliation process as part of his peace mission. Hundreds of people were seen waiting on the roadside to greet the Naga leader.
http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/50878.html
Is Imphal-based media inadvertently leading the disintegration of Manipur?
Written by Mizoram Express Op/Ed Jun 15, 2010 189 views
Did you get us right?
Dr. A. Kateipfona*, Guest Writer
Because of state wide readership, the Imphal based media enjoys the rare privilege of being objective in its perception and understanding of issues and transmitting the same to the readers in the entire state of Manipur for their consumption.
It is also business sense actually, to be impartial when sections of its readership are placed on different sides of the issue. The Imphal based media has not capitalized on the fact that there are no tribal or Naga based media which has a state wide readership. Thus assuming upon itself the responsibility of projecting only the dominant Meitei perspective, the valley based media have become a party to the debate, a respondent to the charge of being persistently partial and biased and so have in a way been responsible for fueling the so called paper war .That the news and views that they carry are the tools with which the public forms “the informed opinions” must be the major consideration and social obligation of media. They should therefore not muffle or filter the views of one party to the issue while highlighting that of the other side alone. From the divergent views the general public has the faculty, at least grant them that, to discern the truth from among the many untruths that invariably creep into both sides whenever there is a ”fight.”
At the present moment, a simple cross check of Imphal valley papers and Nagaland based papers will stand proof to this contention. Important and time sensitive statements of UNC and ANSAM and other important Naga organizations are either not published in the Imphal dailies or delayed even when there are visibly no space constraints as borne out by the news content of the day. The media therefore has become a tactical tool for muffling up the voice of the Nagas, whose voices are not heard in Imphal valley. It is important that the views of Nagas, however angry or hurt (or “venomous” as Imphal editors would have it) should be heard in Imphal. Then only will understanding dawn on the general public to make space for the voice of sanity to emerge.
It is the tribals and the Nagas who are angry and hurt because their rights to their land and the primacy of their traditional institutions and customary practices, which gives them their identity, are being stealthily diluted through the imposition of the District Council (Hill Areas) 2008 Act. This Act, to all intent and purposes had been rejected by the hill people of the state for the last twenty years and for which reason there had been no self governance in the hill areas during that time. In stark contrast, there are 18 Nagar Panchayats and 9 Municipalities fully operational in the Imphal valley. This time around, sensing an opportune moment of a divided tribal house (tribal MLAs) and the bad blood between Nagas and Kukis and the Kuki and Paitei who had been in the recent past engaged in ethnic conflicts, the Govt. of Manipur after years of assuring that the 6th schedule would be extended to the hill areas of Manipur with some local adjustments, came up, with the same act that had been rejected 20 years back. When the Act was introduced in the Assembly, the tribal and Naga MLAs protested and staged a walk out. This Act, which concerns the hill areas and the tribals, had to be approved by the Hill Area Committee comprising of all tribal MLAs as per the provision of 371 C of the Indian Constitution. To circumvent this, a 5 member Select Committee on the Manipur Hill Areas Autonomous District council, 2008 was instituted with 2 tribals MLAs including the Chairman of the Hill Area Committee and 3 non tribal MLAs. The design of this move of the State Government became obvious and Mr Thangminlien Kipgen, the Chairman of the Hill Area Committee resigned from the Select Committee. The Select Committee went ahead with its recommendation and got the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils (third Amendment) ordinance promulgated by the Governor on the pretext that the Assembly was not in session. That the constitutionality of this Act and the way it was enacted is being challenged in the law court is another matter. The way it was rushed through when for 20 long years it was delayed with manipulations, was by itself indicative of anxiety to clinch the issue, with the dominant community’s interest addressed and this was further confirmed when the State Government with the same pace proceeded to impose the ADC election under the 2008 Act in the face of protest of the tribal people. The tribal people are no more simplistic and ignorant and have felt very insulted at the blatant disregard for their expressed opinion. Thus the fear that if given autonomy, as per provision of the constitutions, the tribal would drift away and identification with Manipur become reduced in them, has been the guiding factor for the Manipur Government in handling this particular issue.
What is wrong if the fact that tribal have a strong desire for autonomy for the hill areas is acknowledged and accepted as natural by the Imphal valley people, who hold the State Government with the 40 MLA majority? What is wrong in accepting the fact that the Naga movement has been there since the late 1940s and that Nagas, wherever they may be, present state of Manipur included, have been active stake holders in that movement all through this period? What is wrong in accepting the fact that the beautiful culture, literature and history of the Meitei people have all positively impacted upon the tribals of the state and were a civilizing influence on them but that it is not natural, fair or justifiable to subsume them and their inherent rights under the interest of the dominant Meitei people?
When these things are understood and accepted, then the possibility of peaceful co-existence will emerge. The mutual benefits that appeals to both the parties involved in such an arrangement must become the bond that uphold and strengthens the union. Even if that union cannot be mutually upheld and fences have to be raised to demarcate ownership, good neighbourliness must be secured with understanding. The nature of political, social and economic intercourse which will be sustainable and meaningful to all will emerge from that frame of mind putting an end to the land, benefit, privileges and opportunities grabbing rat race that has engulfed the communities in the troubled water of the State of Manipur. Meiteis and tribals alike must think now outside the box. If this is not recognized and the only actions of armed forces alone is relied upon to quell dissensions, Manipur will always be a time bomb. Tribals will block the highways in the north, south, east and west. Imphal valley sadly cannot be connected with super flyovers to the outside world. It is just not possible even with the genius of the Meities minds and skills. “Chingna koirabanina”. Muivah may go away. The issue of ADC may cease to remain relevant. But others will come and refuse to remain silent. The issue have to be addressed squarely and fairly. The message must dawn clearly and unmistakenly on all the stakeholders and in the true spirit of give and take, the new sustainable and viable arrangement must emerge so that posterity will inherit a new page in history. To this end, the Imphal based media and also in Nagaland and every concerned citizen who pens his or her opinions on the present crisis in Manipur have a special responsibility and moral obligation.
*About the author: Dr. A. Kateipfona, Tahamzam (Senapati District H.Q). You may contact the writer at nagavoices@rediffmail.com">nagavoices@rediffmail.com
http://mizoramexpress.com/index.php/2010/06/is-imphal-based-media-inadvertently-leading-the-disintegration-of-manipur/
Are Meiteis really serious about Manipur’s territorial integrity?
Written by Mizoram Express Op/Ed Jun 24, 2010 160 views
Giving them their rights to safeguard Manipur's integrity.
What is territorial integrity of Manipur without emotional integrity of the different communities living within the state? Do we really think that the IRB/Police commandos, that have created fissures in the Meitei society will be able to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur by shooting and killing tribals?, asks Ch. Jugindro Singh, a moderate Meitei social activist from Senapati District of Manipur.
Now that the Nagas have already gone far away from the concept of a united Manipur, the Chin-Kuki-Zomi group is going to follow suit in no time. If Meiteis can refuse to listen and understand each other in a democratic way, if Meiteis can out-rightly insult the Naga tribals by bulldozing over their just demands and treating them like criminals, what can Chin-Kuki-Zomi people expect from a Manipur, which is hopelessly divided emotionally and its territorial integrity held together with plasters called IRB/ Police commandos.
Let us give the tribal its dues. We have shared a common history with them but let us accept that we have different cultures, social values and way of life. But instead, with our superiority complex, we have been saying that whatever tribals are shouting about is harmful to the Meitei society, confident that the table can be always turned and project the tribals as oppressors and deserving of brutal suppression. That tribals of Manipur had always been distrustful of the Meiteis was evident even when the Manipur constitution was being drafted in May 1947, preparatory to the withdrawal of British paramount. The hill leaders, including Mr Tiankham, secured the incorporation of a clause on pg 12 that provides for “the right of any section of the hill people to secede at the end of the 5 year period, should conditions within the constitution not be satisfactory.” But the integrated Manipur administration of Hills and valley started functioning on 15th April 1947 with high handedness and thus the Naga tribals launched a “No-tax campaign” in Mao area refusing to pay the hill house tax and demanding the merger of Naga areas with the Naga hills under Assam and in the campaign three Nagas gave their lives on 27th August, 1948 at Mao Gate. This is not the genesis but a landmark in history which continues to be relevant and is being reenacted all through these years since then, the recent sacrifice by 2 students on the 6th May, 2010 at Mao Gate being another one.
At the present moment, the ADC issue explains the continuing distrust and why it is so ? Tribals want greater autonomy of the hill areas and we the Meiteis with our majority 40 MLAs in the house of 60 for sometimes said ‘yes’, sometimes “with local adjustment” but finally after more than 20 years we manipulate the equation and come out with an act that enables us to take away their lands, override their traditional institutions and customary practices. It was done so very stealthily that the tribals of Manipur in general were unaware of the implications even when it was notified for suggestions and objections. But tribals are no more ignorant and stupid. A vigilant somebody raised hue and cry. The ANSAM and the UNC then took over the lead to protest. Now the tribals are angry not only because their inherent rights are being threatened but are greatly infuriated by the deceitful and subtle engineering to hood wink them into getting the Act passed in the form and content that serves the interest of the Meitei people alone. Even as the protest became visible and organized, the Government of Manipur decides to impose the ADC elections under this very unwanted Act, instead of listening to the demands of the hill people and accommodating their will and wishes. Yes, it is in the interest of Meiteis, mostly our economic interest that the territorial integrity of Manipur must be continued. But as the tribals are getting organized, even with the disadvantage of physical distance between them, absence of a unifying common language, access to media etc., we must not fail to see the writings on the walls.
These confrontations and the contest of strength in terms of force, publicity and media coverage, lobbying with Delhi and national political parties will continue. Then one day, which may not be far away, when the tribals get better organized, better equipped and have mustered their collective strength, what options will be left to us, the Meiteis. As of now we are at leisure callings the shot. Let us think seriously. Can we not change? Is there no other way to address the issue of Manipur integrity, besides using force or trying to divide the tribals by wedging in whenever there are local conflicts among them, setting one tribe against the other or promoting some treacherous tribals, who did not represent the will and wishes of the tribal people as leaders and using them to parrot and campaign the issue of Manipur’s territorial integrity. This is the age-old policy and technique of divide and rule. But all these tricks are evident to the tribals and they are not being taken by surprise.
Immense resources, in terms of fund and manpower are deployed by the Ibobi government to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur. But what about building bridges, both physical and metaphorical, constructing roads or providing electricity or health services? Where is the fund, the will and the desire to truly provide governance to the people of the state? Look at the inordinate quantum of food supply brought into Manipur inspite of the ANSAM economic blockade to augment the already available stock of food grains produced from the rice bowls of Imphal valley and the artificial scarcity and deliberate price hike that is being orchestrated to defeat the voice of the tribals. The agitation of the tribals for their rights is being judo-ed and made into a humanitarian issue. But will we Meiteis not come together to question Ibobi and his abuse of power to save his seat by using the name of territorial integrity of Manipur. Manipur and its resources are not his personal fiefdom to be used to perpetuate his reign in power. To save his chair, the Muivah mantra is conjured up by Ibobi. But to save Manipur, the rights of the tribals have to be addressed.
The economic blockade has been temporarily suspended with Ibobi seemingly emerging victorious. But will the issue die? The tribals will come back again more resolute, prepared and with greater strength. The point therefore of this article is that tribals have reasons to be dissatisfied with the present arrangement where the 40 MLAs of Imphal valley can decide on any issue any day and willfully ignore, neglect or reject the wishes, will and interest of the tribals represented by their 20 MLAs. See! the equation is so very tempting and comes naturally to every normal person to capitalize on the advantage that has been built up over the year since 1949 when the integrated administration of the hill and valleys began after the independence of India. Even a good man like Ibobi, who not so long back had stuck to the end to protect his poor commandos who shot dead a youth in broad daylight in the crowded Khwairamband bazaar and skillfully turned Manipur into a failed state., would be compelled by his natural instincts to perpetuate this arrangement.
So without breaking up the territorial integrity of Manipur, let there be a separate administration for the five hill/ tribal districts and another for the four Meitei districts of Imphal valley to administer over areas and aspects that are specific to the respective areas. A common state government that has representation from both the tribal and Meitei administration in proportion to population can be put into place for governance and administration on issues, projects, and programmes that concern the State as a whole with Imphal city continuing as the state capital .This new arrangement will bring about a win-win situation for everybody and all communities in the present state of Manipur. With a contented Naga population, We Meiteis will not need to fear Muivah nor any other.
This is the essence of the only arrangement that will ensure the territorial integrity of Manipur. Otherwise let the Nagas in Manipur, with their land integrate with Nagaland state and the Chin-Kuki-Mizo people and their land join the brethren in Mizoram. The Imphal valley can remain as ‘Sanalaibak’ undefiled with tribal mixtures.
But I do not think that we, Meiteis can live happily with themselves only. Without tribals to put down, we will turn on each other and we can very well imagine that world. Our mental and social upbringing is like that as we are so very unaccommodating of others then our own individual self. Meiteis should end and change their attitude to life and their world view or otherwise the tribals would continue to go away and farther. Consensus must emerge out of a sober and rational discussion on this line so that Manipur and its people can be saved. Muivah is not the issue but the tribal people and their yearning for autonomy and their inherent rights definitely are.
Comments
Reson says: June 25, 2010 at 7:39 pm
The right to freedom of movement and expression are completely deliberately violated by Ibobi-led Manipur govt by preventing Naga leader Th. Muivah from entering his own house just to achieve Meitei’s sinister plan to sabotage Naga peace talk with India. There is no question of ‘unrest’ by his visit in Manipur as his itinerary covers only Naga inhabited areas. There is no question of Muivah demanding greater Nagaland in Manipur during his visit. He will simply continue to seek peaceful and honorable solution with Indian government. He and Naga people know that there is no greater Nagaland but all the lands belong to Naga is Nagaland. No one can say that Naga inhabited areas of Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong are not Nagaland.
GoI and GoM need to know that Nagas will not remain silent when their rights are continuously suppressed in the name of law and order problem even after more than 60 years of struggle for peace and freedom in which thousands of Nagas have sacrificed their lives.
We all know that Muivah, with the consent of the people of all Naga inhabited areas, is holding peace talk with GOI and all Naga people of everywhere are eagerly waiting to hear the news of the progress of Indo-Naga peace talk. How can we expect peace in Manipur when Naga leader is stopped from going his hometown without any reason? Why did Ibobi deprive Naga people from hearing the progress of peace talk?
We all know that Muivah is seeking for a peaceful solution which means the solution will be honorable and acceptable to both sides and avoid any kind of bloodshed. This is a democratic country; everyone should be given privilege to speak or move anywhere as long as he or she is seeking peaceful solution. What kind of ‘unrest’ are they talking about? If there is unrest among Meitei in Imphal, then we all know that the ‘unrest’ is out of sheer jealousy, cowardness and devilish assumption of themselves.
http://mizoramexpress.com/index.php/2010/06/are-meiteis-really-serious-about-manipurs-territorial-integrity/
Army Chief smells rat over AFSPA change plea
New Delhi: Amid moves by the political leadership to make the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) "more humane", Army Chief Gen VK Singh has voiced his opposition to any change, saying demands for dilution of the Act were being made for "narrow political gains".
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has promised amendments to the Act that gives sweeping powers to the Army in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East, to make it more humane. Home Minister P Chidambaram is also known to be in favour of diluting some of the provisions of the Act. The Home Ministry has finalised its views and sent a note to the Union Cabinet. Comments of the ministries of Defence and Law have been sought before the Cabinet Committee on Security considers amendments. Describing AFSPA as a "misunderstood Act", the Army Chief told a defence journal, "all who ask for its dilution or withdrawal, probably do so for narrow political gains. Any dilution will lead to constraining our operations", he said. He went on to emphasise, "we are very clear on the subject that soldiers operating in hostile environment need legal protection to ensure that they perform their tasks efficiently".
Killings of three Kashmiri youths by the Army in a suspected fake encounter in Machil in Kupwara district on April 29 had sparked off widespread protests in the Valley and strengthened the demand for amending the Act. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as well as political parties in the state are clamouring for dilution of the Act so that any Army personnel involved in extra-judicial killings are held accountable through civilian legal process rather than Army's internal mechanisms.
But, Gen Singh has maintained during the interview that "adequate measures have been instituted at organisational and functional levels to ensure that the powers entrusted through the Act are not misused".
Security forces are required to undertake operations in J&K in "challenging circumstances" against highly-trained terrorists armed and equipped with sophisticated weapons, the General said, adding, "therefore, we need requisite legal protection". (PTI)
http://theshillongtimes.com/
Manipur papers go off stands
Imphal: Manipur based newspapers' offices have shut down for indefinite period since Saturday following a threat from militants to the spokeperson of the All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) A Mobi. The Lanheiba group threatened to eliminate A Mobi, who is also the editor of Sanaleibak, a vernacular daily based in Imphal. It is pertinent to note that a top leader's group of the KCP had issued a press release two weeks ago while another leader of the rival KCP faction asked the media houses not to entertain the former's press communique.
As both the militant leaders directive their respective diktats on the media houses with threats, the latter, in a meeting, decided to shut down indefinitely. (NNN)
http://theshillongtimes.com/
No condition to reconciliation: Muivah
Tseminyu (Nagaland): There should not be any condition to re-conciliation among the Naga groups and the Nagas must strive for political settlement with the Centre based on their unique history and situation, NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah has said. The on-going re-conciliation must revolve around the Naga people's aspirations for an 'honourable' settlement of the prolonged conflict based on the unique history and situation, he told a gathering here after his arrival from Pughoboto in Zunheboto district on Friday.
The history and situation of the Nagas was recognised by the Centre during peace negotiations in 2001 and both sides expressed their commitment towards finding a negotiated settlement which would be honourable and acceptable to both, Muivah, now on peace mission to different parts of Nagaland, said. The 'much needed' reconciliation among the Nagas is a 'spiritual as well as political journey' and there would be no difficulty with the Naga underground groups once it is understood and accepted, he said and called upon the people to stand firm on their political beliefs and principles. Muivah also praised the contribution made by the Rengma Nagas, inhabitants of Tseminyu sub-division in Kohima district before leaving for Wokha to interact with Lotha Naga community on the re-conciliation process as part of his peace mission.
Hundreds of people were seen waiting on the roadside to greet the Naga leader.
At Wokha Muivah told newsmen that he wished to visit as many Naga areas as he could at one go as he believed that for re-conciliation the people must first understand the issues involved in the political struggle. He said his interactions with villagers in the past few weeks were very encouraging because they supported the Naga cause. NSCN (I-M) officials said after staying a few days at Wokha Muivah would travel to Mokokchung and then go to the border district of Tuensang as part of his on-going peace mission undertaken in the first week of May. (PTI)
Muivah, who arrived in Viswema village near Manipur-Nagaland border on May 5 on way to his birth place in Ukhrul district, had to defer the visit after the Manipur government strongly opposed the move but decided to go to different places in Nagaland on the peace mission. (PTI)
http://theshillongtimes.com/
Ibobi vows focus on hills to offset blockades
Hindustan Times
Imphal, June 26 (Hindustan Times): The spear of economic blockade appears to have pierced the Manipur government’s defiance more than a week after it was withdrawn. Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Saturday admitted his government needed to focus on the development in the state’s hill districts. Large swathes of these districts are dominated by Naga tribes.
“Manipur cannot develop if the hill districts continue to remain backward and underdeveloped. And that was precisely why the government wanted to hold elections to the autonomous district councils (ADCs) in the hill districts despite a lot of problems and opposition by some quarters,” Singh said. He was speaking at the swearing-in function of 144 members of six ADCs at the Khuman Lampak stadium complex here. The Congress party bagged 106 seats to sweep the polls in the ADCs spanning five districts – Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul. Elections to the ADCs were held last month after a gap of nearly 25 years. The term of the last elected ADCs expired in 1988. The councils existed only on paper since, with deputy commissioners holding charge as administrators. “Now that the councils have been elected despite intimidations and threats, it is time for the hill people to take full advantage of our developmental programmes,” Singh said. The chief minister also indicated his government would hold no grudge against those groups which were opposed to the ADC elections.
“The government did not go against any tribe or organization by holding the ADC elections that are meant to bring about equal development of the hills and plains of the state,” he added. The plains of Manipur are dominated by the Meitei community that virtually controls governance in the state. According to Naga organizations that imposed the 69-day economic blockade on National Highway 39 and 53, Singh’s “sensitivity” towards the hills was an indirect acknowledgement of years of neglect of the tribal areas. “One hopes his aren’t vacuous words to offset more economic blockades,” said a spokesperson of a Naga students’ body. The economic blockade by Naga organizations was started on April 11 to protest elections to what they termed toothless ADCs. It ended on May 18 after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held a meeting with various Naga organizations. EOM Instead, he appealed to those opposing the elections not to disturb the developmental programmes.
http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/50880.html
Elected members take oath; Ibobi pledges power to ADC
NNN
Imphal, June 26 (NNN): The government of Manipur today pledged to give power to the District Councils of Manipur as much possible as it can. Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh said that there are many facilities and enormous power the elected District Council members will enjoy. O Ibobi Singh also expressed happiness over the "successful" conducting of District Council polls in Manipur hills and pledged to take on the development in hill areas. “People inhabiting the hills cannot remain deprived of the democratic rights and developmental programmes,” Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh told a gathering at the swearing-in ceremony of the 156 members of the six Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) at Khuman Lampak indoor stadium on Saturday. It is pertinent to note that altogether 144 members have got elected while 12 members are being nominated with two members each from six District Councils.
24 members have been elected from each District Council. O. Ibobi Singh pointed out that there had been a disparity of development between the hills and the valley as elections to the District Councils could not be held for a long time.
He said, “Despite sincere efforts by the government, the Autonomous District Council elections could not be held for a long time. But this time round, we managed to conduct the polls successfully despite threats, intimidations and other problems".
The chief minister said that now that the polls were held, developmental schemes will be implemented in a better way at the grassroots level. “One must not construe the Autonomous District Councils (ADC) elections as an attempt by the state government to go against any tribe or organization. It was to bring development to the hills. After all, there has to be equal distribution of development,” the chief minister said. Elections to the District Councils under the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (3rd Amendment) Act, 2008 were held much to the chagrin of the Naga frontal organisations.
The United Naga Council (UNC) and its federating units have been opposing to the elections of the District Councils under the 3rd Amendment of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 2008 saying that it deprives the tribal peoples' rights. In protest against the elections under the same Act, the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) had called 68 days of blockade on the two national highways in Manipur sector which was suspended on June 18.
Meanwhile, large number of tribal people in colourful attires participated Saturday's swearing-in ceremony of the elected members of the District Councils. A song entitled 'Hingmin Nasi Eikhoi" or Let us co-exist together enthralled the gathering at Khuman Lampak stadium where artists representing the different communities viz, Meeiteis, Nagas and Kukis sang the song in eight language/dialects of the state. Six deputy commisioners carried out the oath taking to their respective District Council members at the programme. A grand feast was organised by the state government after the programme.
http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/50906.html
Nagas will take their own decision: Muivah
Correspondent WOKHA, JUN 26 (NPN):
NSCN (I-M) general secretary, Th. Muivah Saturday said that the time has come for Nagas to take their own decisions. “Should Nagas still live in this world in confusion? Who should decide what’s best for us? Nobody can take our decisions for us. Only Nagas can take our own decisions. Otherwise, we will become a lost people,” he said addressing a mammoth gathering at the local ground Wokha. He called upon the Kyongs to understand the history of the Nagas and to reason out and understand together the truths. He urged the gathering to follow the footsteps of past Naga leaders like A.Z. Phizo, Imkong and Khodao Yanthan who did not let down the Nagas as they took the right decision in refusing to be a part of India but to stay independent. Muivah said: “I am a proud son of their decision.” Asserting that the Shillong Accord was a total sellout, Muivah recounted how he, NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and around 400 NNC cadres (then in China) were devastated by the news which was broadcast all over including the BBC and Voice of America. He also came down heavily on A.Z. Phizo for remaining silent and not condemning the Shillong Accord.
Enlightening the gathering about the “Indo-Naga” talks, the process of which was on for the last 13 years, Muivah said the very recognition of the uniqueness of Naga history by India was an important step towards finding an honourable solution acceptable to both parties.
He said the uniqueness of Naga history was because of the unique situation where Nagas never accepted the authority of India unlike other Indian states which willingly acceded to India. “Because of this uniqueness of Naga history, a settlement with India must also be a unique settlement,” Muivah asserted. With the recognition of the uniqueness of Naga history by India, he said, it was also time for the Nagas for reconciliation and unity in the name of God.
According to a statement from the MIP of the NSCN (I-M), Muivah disclosed that it was a frustrating experience talking with India in the beginning as no proper respect was given to the Naga issue. But after five years Padmanabhaiah was warned, “If you don’t show respect to the Naga history there will be no solution. Nagas have history. India have history. No reply was given to NSCN,” the MIP quoted Muivah as having said. Muivah said that later on Padmanabhaiah was reminded not to repeat the mistake of Nehru because India was not able to crush the Nagas even after more than 50 years of fighting. At last, Padmanabhaiah came to terms and said, “I did’nt understand the Naga history before, and now I fully understand….,” Muivah said according to the MIP.
Muivah also mentioned about his meeting with Padmanabhaiah in Amsterdam where India officially declared its recognition to the uniqueness of Naga history. NSCN (I-M) steering committee co-convenor Q. Tuccu also delivered a short speech. Later, Muivah interacted with the Kyong Hoho and other civil societies while his wife interacted with the Kyong Eloe Hoho and other women groups. Earlier, the function was chaired by Kyong Hoho chairman Yansathung Jami who also delivered the welcome address. The programme was marked by cultural items and special numbers.
http://nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMjc2OTY%3d-ET0uk5u0bak%3d
Message to the Rengmas
Post-mortem
Article published on 6/27/2010 12:37:56 AM IST
I and my team are extremely happy by the heartfelt welcome accorded to us by the Rengma Nagas at Tseminyu. We welcome your commitment towards Naga reconciliation and your support for an honourable political settlement acceptable to both. You may not be a major tribe amongst the Nagas, yet you stand tall in terms of your contribution for the Naga national cause. When the history of the Nagas was taking a serious turn in 1975 with the signing of the Shillong Accord you did not make any mistake.
You and your leader Whenha, first Ato Kilonser of the Federal Government of Nagaland did not waver. The decision of the Naga people was first, for their land and their national rights and second, Nagaland for Christ. Your people under the able leadership of the Rengma Hoho stood firm during the recent November 2007 crisis. You must know that you were a part of those important and decisive decisions. You have not failed in your time. The most important legacy that we must leave behind is an honourable history. When many other nationalities had failed to take a correct decision the Nagas took the right decision at the right time under the leadership of NNC.
We are thankful to the Rengmas for welcoming our journey of peace and reconciliation to your land. Our survival as a nation entails unity on national principles. Reconciliation foundation must be based on that and every Naga must rally around that national principle. Our commitment to national reconciliation has been clearly defined by the 13th January, 2007 Naga reconciliation proclamation declared by Chairman Isak Chishi Swu. The journey of reconciliation may be long but we are committed to stand till the end and at the same time respecting the Naga people’s wish we will continue to negotiate with the Government of India.
By the grace of our almighty God we have initiated political negotiation with the Government of India (GOI) on three agreed foundations - at the highest level, without pre-condition and outside India in a third country. The GOI also had recognized the unique history and situation of the Nagas by the July 11, 2002 Amsterdam Joint Communiqué. India and the Nagas are also keen to have an honourable political settlement acceptable to both the entities. Our brief stopover at Tseminyu has been a meaningful one. We believe in people who stand for the history of their people. I know your history and it is a good and opportune time for us to search for each other’s heart. I believe in the Naga people because they have the final say. May the good God bless you all. Kuknalim.
Th. Muivah, general secretary, NSCN (IM).
http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMjc3MjE%3d-ZWba%2f%2b2CkP4%3d
Members of ADCs sworn in
Oath administered in Imphal despite threat by Naga groups
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Imphal, June 26: The newly elected members of the six autonomous district councils in the five hill districts of Manipur were sworn in today, setting the ball rolling for the constitution of the councils after 22 years. The ADC polls were held in Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Senapati, Sadar Hills (in Senapati district) and Chandel districts in two phases on May 26 and June 2. After the third term of the ADCs expired in 1988, no elections were held for “various reasons” till the Okram Ibobi Singh government held the polls this year despite boycott by Naga organisations led by the United Naga Council (UNC). All the elected members turned up today for the oath-taking ceremony at the indoor stadium of Khuman Lampak sports complex here, despite threats by the Naga organisations. The candidates were administered oath of office by the respective deputy commissioners.
The UNC and other Naga bodies are refusing to recognise the elections and are demanding that the poll results be nullified. They are of the view that the councils under the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils (Third Amendment) Act 2008 do not have adequate powers. “I was asked by those against the elections not to take part in the oath-taking ceremony today. I was warned that I would face dire consequences if I took the oath,” G. Soihem Haomei, an elected Congress member from Tamenglong district, said. Each autonomous district council has 26 members — 24 elected and two nominated by the government. Each council will have one chairman, one deputy chairman and five members to be chosen by the chairman from among the members.
The ruling Congress swept the polls by winning 106 of the 144 seats. Ruling allies, the CPI, the Trinamul Congress and the NCP, won one seat each. The councils have 25 Independent members. There were no candidates in 10 seats. The government is yet to take a decision on holding elections to these. S. Thotsasheng, who was elected from Ukhrul on a Congress ticket, said he would try to amend the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils (Third Amendment) Act to suit the interests of the hill people. The members are confident that despite threats and intimidation, the councils can function properly. Welcoming the ADC members, chief minister Ibobi Singh assured them that adequate powers and funds would be given to the councils. “A high power committee headed by the chief secretary (D.S. Poonia) is examining the powers and functions of the councils. The government is also examining the models of councils in the northeastern states. After taking a decision on the powers and functions, the government will refer the matter to the hill areas committee of the Assembly for approval,” Ibobi Singh added.
http://telegraphindia.com/1100627/jsp/northeast/story_12615270.jsp
JUN 18, 2010
Nothing Great About June Riots in Imphal
By sinlung / On : 9:02 PM/
By Liansailova Sailo
I read about an article regarding how Imphal based newspapers were fueling the disintegration of Manipur. And Its true. AMUCO, UCM and other valley based organizations harp about Manipur integration; marking a day for integration and something more weird ’great June uprising.’ Not sure they got all the funny names. Looking back, there was nothing great about the June Riots in Imphal, they burned the Indian flag, yet still beg to the Indian government for relief.
The Meitei-Tribal divide in Manipur is too deep now and from my observations from Mizoram, Manipur is heading for a divide whether the people in the valley like it or not.
Why?
1. Manipur Hills Tribals think and know that they will never be taken care in terms of development, when all the funds meant for the Hills are plundered in Imphal by Valley based militants. Unequal distribution of wealth.
2. Manipur (Hill Area) District Council Act (Third Amendment) 2008 which will take away tribal rights.
3. Cultural, tribal and Religious Affinity – while Churachandpur has more affinity to Mizoram and the Rest of the Hills to Nagaland.
This is not a warning bell anymore, the disintegration has begun, every tribal in the Hills have spoken to their heart and decided, enough is enough, no more of our funds are going to get plundered, no more raping of girls by valley based militants, no more to being used as a human shield. Yes, the valley organizations will also have some stunts to pull of, like blocking inquiry in raping of innocent girls, crying integration of Manipur but the axe have fallen.
The Manipur tribals have decided, its only time before the fruit ripens.
**The author is an observer and a research scholar based in Mizoram
http://www.sinlung.com/2010/06/nothing-great-about-june-riots-in.html
*Re-aligning the Road Map to Reconciliation and unification *
By Ngaraipam Mahongnao
No nation can survive without determining their national interest as survivability of a nation depends much on identifying what interest will best serve the interest of a nation. National interest and public opinion dictate the nature of a long term as well as short term efforts in policy making. For every nation, there are certain irreducible cores of national interest at any given time which is called the vital interest of a nation, which is considered so vital that a state is willing to go to war to safeguard one’s national interest even though war is not the only option. To determine what constitutes the vital national interest is all together a difficult task, however certain issues like protection and preservation of their independence, territorial integrity and symbolic value of national prestige are considered basic and irreducible vital national interest and is true till today.
The status and quality of a nation depend much on the capacity and quality of the citizen residing within the country. Historically speaking, powerful countries are not exactly powerful just because they have natural resources, infrastructure, technology, arms and weapons, but the quality of the citizens which manipulate the available resources to translate it into useable or tangible instrument in the furtherance of one’s national interest which dictates the policy of a respective nation. Ultimately, it is the people which make nation a powerful entity. A nation frequented by defection and infiltration of the enemies within the system cannot be a strong nation. Certain nation or state or particular community can be susceptible to such kind of characteristics and such kind of characteristics are so internalize so much so that hardly ever can they realise the damage of weakening the very foundation of nation building. Sometimes an emotion can even overwhelm the entire community en bloc which smacks off the very rationality of a clear vision. No nation can be strong unless the people are mentally, physically, spiritually, morally, socially, economically, technologically, militarily and nationalistically prepare to defend their nation. These exact conditions confront the very existence of a Naga nation today.
As the Naga Peoples’ Convention to be assembled on 1st July in Senapati (Tahamzam) is inching closer, every citizen of Nagalim must pull up their sleeve and be ready to defend and keep certain things aware.
Firstly, every Naga citizen must keep in mind that we are a colonized country under the political and administrative subjugation of India. This colonisation and premeditated arbitrary division is killing the very basic relationship of brotherhood and sense of nationhood and the present situation is unacceptable to the people of Nagalim. Our glory can be restored only by unifying the fragmented Naga homeland.
Secondly, every Naga should be aware that we are at constant war with the colonial master in different form, either in the form of actual physical war or cultural, political, economic, social, moral, psychological and intellectual war; and the danger is that, certain individuals and leaders are already toeing the line of the oppressor; becoming their spokesman.
Thirdly, real reconciliation and unification should begin first from within the civil societies as has been initiated by Naga Hoho, UNC, ANSAM and NSF irrespective of the artificial political boundaries of all Naga Hills which should be followed by various revolutionary factions base on the credibility of the leadership to lead the nation without any premeditated motive.
Fourthly, the very basic exigency of reconciliation and unification itself has become a political weapon by anti-Naga voices to weaken the real unification process of the entire Naga community, emotionally and territorially by deliberately prompting and putting the cart before the horse thereby jamming the entire process of real unification. The very basic exigency of pushing unification therefore cannot be initiated without a clear-cut road map for real reconciliation which should be followed by emotional and territorial unification of the entire Naga community, or else, defeat the very purpose of this endeavour thus far. It is impossible for the train to run until the rail track has been laid just as without the road map the unification process cannot be initiated as there can be no mistake this time.
Fifthly, there should be a clear-cut dichotomy between the issue of reconciliation and unification of the Nagas on the one hand and the negotiated settlement of the Indo-Naga political issues on the other. The roadblock to reconciliation and unification should not be a stumbling block to negotiated settlement. For which, reconciliation and unification of the Nagas is only a process to internal settlement within; which is a beginning in itself, thus internal adjustments are in actuality infinite, where as Indo-Naga political settlement should be a permanent solution which is an end in itself which can not be indefinitely delayed.
Sixthly, there should be no confusion for every Naga citizen, irrespective of the boundaries, that economic development is not an alternative answer for political sovereignty lest it may hijack the very cause Nagas are fighting for. Nagas demand for political sovereignty is not an offshoot of economic underdevelopment but due to outright political subjugation and denial of historical rights which every Naga must enjoy like any other nations.
Seventhly, every Naga citizen must know that they have an obligation towards one’s own state to which he or she is aspiring to live in, because it is only through this aspiration to live under one state which is going to make Naga a nation. One can not be a Naga by citizen and at the same time, a Manipuri or a Pakistani or an Indian by loyalty.
Considering the fact that Nagas are today fighting a different war unlike the past, the enemy itself has surfaced in the form of our own people, speaking the same language, eating the same food habit and lifestyle, advocating the same reconciliation and unification, fighting the same cause yet speaking different tones. Perhaps, India has realised that the war to defeat the Nagas is not a war between India and Nagalim but Nagas versus Nagas, and it appears that few section of the so-called nationalist are eagerly and deliberately embracing it in favour of the adversaries posing threat to the Nagas. The real danger lies in the fact that when people fail or are unable to identify the thin line dividing the real nationalist and the traitor or the real enemy within, the fall of the nation begins. It is therefore for this reason, unification of the revolutionaries should be brought forth with extreme cautiousness and every Naga must refuse to fight a war engineered by India. It also call for total rejection of artificial political boundaries which divide the Nagas, and must outrightly refuse to accept the artificial political boundaries as social boundaries, refuse to give communal and inflammatory statement which conforms to the whims of the adversaries, and refrain from enchanting autocratic, dictatorial and tribalistic decision which do not delegate us; turn a deaf ear to the adversaries which do not conform to the national principles and opinion of the Nagas. However, certain facts which every Naga must keep on constant guard are that not all opinion which is written in the print media is public opinion; hundred wrongs can not make a right wrong. Irrespective of how many write, speak or condemn, the irreducible truth must remain even though there is no absolute truth other than god. It is because of these facts that every Naga must break all illusionary differences which are being created by the enemies to serve their selfish interest. Therefore, the need for resolving the conflict to bring fragmented territorial unification and peace within the family must be treaded cautiously so as not to aggravate the already compounded problems within. The concept of unification and peace has its relevancy only where there are confrontations. Usually, conflict refers to an ongoing state of hostility between groups of people both civil and armed cadres. Thus the process for resolving dispute should be adequately addressed to have a satisfactory outcome. The fear is that, what if Nagas take the wrong step set by the adversaries? Will the Nagas future be secured? Unification, being the purpose to end physical confrontation within, should therefore require urgent understanding of their causes and find ways for its prevention.
Today, communalism and tribalism is the biggest challenge to the Nagas’ march towards reconciliation, unification and solution. Usually, communalisms and tribalism are born out of ignorance, backwardness, unfounded ambitions, and fear of uncertainty of future. Such kind of people often indulge in communal passion and divide the people so that on the spoils of such mischief, they often flirt to achieve their lust for money, power and leadership, and sometime to derail the real desire of the people’s quest for real solution. Usually, communalisms can be easily spread where people are backward, rationally weak and ignorant. This becomes a fertile ground for planting mistrust and hatred towards one tribe against another by the adversaries. And such people often become a stooge and act as a pawn to sabotage real peace and solution and very hardly ever realise their mistake. The facts which every Naga must know are that, to murder an innocent citizen just because he or she belongs to another tribe is the worse form of communalism. To misuse one’s own privileged position to serve selfish interest is communalism. No individual or tribe can claim that they love Nagalim more than any one else by killing an innocent tribesman. It is jingoism or chauvinism and not nationalism. Communalism is not only anti-Naga but anti-human, it is against the basic foundation of Naga nationhood; it is against the very basic secular set up of a Naga nation, by killing one another in the name of tribes, we are killing our own nation. It is an affront to Naga’s search for permanent solution. Nagas must contain such menace so that we do not fight another avoidable war in the name of tribes in the years to come. There are certain fact which Nagas must admit today without any hidden agenda is communalism, which is the real threat and a real challenge to unity, peace, and solution. Nagas cannot afford to talk reconciliation, unity, peace and solution, and at the same time brandish hostile and harboured animosity towards other tribe. To achieve certain mileage is extremely difficult but it takes just a careless statement to undo the sacrifice of generations
Nagas must be extremely cautious as it has become an eyesore for the neighboring state to see the Nagas walking down the road of reconciliation and territorial unification. No doubt, they have reason to fear as we inch closer and nearer to our long cherish goal. No matter what others have to say, if Nagas reconcile and stand resolute by silencing the dreadful traitors, no one on earth can stop the Nagas except God. Today, Nagas can see the fear and restlessness in the minds of our neighboring states and other agents, and they are all out to destabilize the process of reconciliation and territorial integration. Nagas need a lot of appreciation to NSCN for consistently standing on the principle of irreducible truth despite its various weaknesses. The enemy always sees Nagas as Muivah and Muivah as Nagas. Therefore they are all out to destroy his image. Succeeding in doing so will meant burying the Nagas historical rights. By defending him, we are not only defending Nagas historical rights but defending our Naga nation. Muivah as an individual is immaterial to the Nagas, but Muivah as a leader of the Naga National Movement is everything for the Nagas. The enemy has wittingly tried to pin and exclude the Nagas to a subject matter of Naga issue to Muivah, leaving him alone to defend, forgetting that he represents the future of the Nagas. The enemy has new found weaponry trying to strip down the Naga national issue to petty individual issue and on communal line. How long can we allow the enemy to assault our Naga nation in the name of Muivah, leaving him alone to defend forgetting that he bears the brunt for defending the Naga nation? The sooner the Nagas realized the earlier our process of integration will be.
The burden of bringing unity, peace and negotiated settlement is not the sole responsibility of the national worker. However, there can be no illusion on the part of the civil societies tempted to spearhead the negotiation for settlement, as there are hordes of people wanting to be leaders without commitment to the cause and thus easily betray. The civil societies can simply be a facilitator and not a negotiator for any desired ends. Nagas must realise that the real chance for solution has been missed time and again simply because we often try to choose the easiest path without foreseeing the consequence and sometimes even if they could, they choose to deliberately do it for selfish interest. Real solution can come only when each citizen is willing to take complete responsibilities of managing their own state of affairs. No individual can completely dissociate himself or herself from the land and community to which one belongs to. We derive our security only by associating with it, be it social, economic, or political. Escaping from the problem cannot be the solution. One of the biggest drawbacks and challenges of the Nagas toady is that, we were not taught by our colonial master to cope with problem but to escape, condemn and procrastinate it. The much confusion of what we have today is the direct consequence of what we were taught in yesteryears. Constant bombardment to the younger generations of Nagas with negativism, alien history and propaganda devoid of Naga history, culture, ethos, and traditions are bound to bring these much of confusion. Nagas today are barely aware of what constitute the territorial boundary of the Naga homeland. Despite living in proximity, the Nagas seem to be unaware of each other, the recent development being an exception which deserved deep appreciation. It is becoming painful to witness that every able citizen of Nagalim can easily betray its cause in the name of the national movement. Today the temptation of confining the language of unification to the so-called Nagaland state is extremely real. Any possible road map to unification must begin from the civil societies in consultation with the nationalist who can lead the Nagas to the right direction. After all, the strength and capacity of the nation depends on the able leadership with international credibility and well conscious national interest backed by power and the vigilant citizens, lest it falls at the hands of the traitor. The biggest challenges confronting the civil societies is the modalities for unification which are time consuming and at the same time the challenges of becoming incompetent to handle the core modalities and road map looms large. The Forum for Naga Reconciliation, the Naga Hohos, the NMA, the NSF, ANSAM, UNC, ENPO, and various other Naga civil organisations operating in Changlang and Tirap of Arunachal Pradesh, Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel of Manipur; and Naga inhabited areas of Assam and Myanmar must constantly deliberate on how to unify the Naga Homeland and work out the pragmatic modalities and road map for emotional and real territorial unification. There can be no mistake on the part of the Nagas that the support of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and Naga Hoho and various civil societies for reconciliation cannot be translated as the endorsement of the physical unification of the warring entities by force. Until such tangible unification on the side of the civil societies happens, it will be extremely difficult if not impossible to unify the NSCN under the collective leadership, and the NSCN (K) led by Kitovi and Mulatonu, and the NNC. The real danger of infighting between these factions is real and inevitable. This exact catastrophe is what the adversaries are anticipating for, and from the spoils of this infighting, the enemy is going to indulge. Nagas can not afford to repeat the same mistake committed in the past. It is time for every Nagas especially the younger generation to say traitor a traitor. We should no longer allow traitors to hide in the closet of nationalism, neither shall we allow selfish community’s interest to override the Nagas national interest, or else this will cost another preventable war and bloodshed.
In any Christian society, the voice of the Church is powerful and this is more real in a state like Nagaland. However, there are dangers in indulging too much on the activities of the state’s affairs without dichotomising the role, even though a clear-cut division is extremely difficult. This is not to demean the role and contribution of the church leaders towards reconciliation. Despite having fully appreciated, church leaders often measure political yardstick with morality which very often ends in political suicide. Very often they are poorly informed of the management of state’s affairs devoid of national interest despite their good intention thus compromising the irreducible core. We have to realize that we are not Jesus and one can not simply proclaim and expect others to behave like Jesus lest people are watching what one is up to. Temporal world is not an ecclesiastical affair and thus the responsibility of feeding moral education to the people differs with the revolutionary struggles to defend ones country. There can be no mistake that simply advocating only on moral issues without comprehending the political complexities with due consideration to national interest often lead to confusion. We are no longer in the medieval era. Countries very often interfered by religious groups in the governance are the least develop and most corrupt, frequented with bloodbath and very often people are found standing on different lines of allegiance confused with the moral teaching and the nation to which they are called to defend. Clearly, very few theocratic state survive in modern times, for example, Pakistan is a confused state today with bloodbath inextricably mixed with religious fanaticism and politicking, because they are reaping what they have sown. After all, most of the religious leaders if not all, are poor performers in education and very often, they command respect not because they are intellectuals but merely because they are the servant of God. This position often makes the religious leaders to misuse and led the masses to the wrong direction which they seldom realised. Every sensible Naga citizen must be concious that “we have to pay to Caesar what is due to Caesar and unto God what is due to God.” If Nagalim is burning, hungry with power, corruption, bloodshed, defection and switching of loyalties, lack of dignity and commitment to the cause, and lust for money, committing only to the material world without committing to the people, the Church leaders have a fair share of responsibilities, because they are the exact outcome of the moral indoctrination. It is the exact reflection of what the Naga families are up to at home, for no nation can rise above the families. The church leaders, very often presume that all moral decision has a positive outcome, however it should be kept in mind that good intention doesn’t always lead to good result, and very often, moral decision too has adverse political implication. Perhaps, Nagas will be wise if we learnt from history that, the appeasement policy of Chamberlain towards the communalist Nazi, who campaign against the Jew costs England and the whole world, a World War. The intention of Chamberlain was good and moral, but the outcome was catastrophic. The policy of Chamberlain to prevent war and bloodshed by pleasing the anti-human communal Nazi Hitler forced England to fight the war. They fought the war to end the war and indeed it ends the war. The decision appears immoral yet the outcome was moral. England perhaps knew that the war with anti-Jew Hitler was inevitable, yet they tried a very moral policy in order to please the moralist, yet when England chose to fight the inevitable war, Hitler was much stronger though. This same history can be repeated in a small country like Nagalim. The harboured animosity and hatred towards certain communities by a few section of the so-called nationalist cannot easily be ignored, as this is not only anti-Naga but anti-human as well. It is indeed increasingly surprising to note that communalism has become a feature or a habit of certain so-called leaders. Even though Nagas are culturally, racially, and religiously homogeneous, the so-called leaders are Indian by taste and outlook, devoid of Naganess and have been completely capitulated intellectually, physically, psychologically, morally and financially to India for survival by executing
anti-Naga activities in the guise of serving the people. After all, their survivability rest on raising pseudo Naga issue which are literally anti-Naga to earn cheap money and support, thus further forcing them to foment trouble to the detriment of the Nagas national Interest. The so-called sections of the nationalist are today the detractor of real reconciliation and territorial unification by aligning with the adversaries like, Indian agencies, ULFA of Assam and UNLF and PLA of Manipur etc of the neighbouring states for their sole survival. Perhaps, these anti-Naga militants of the neighbouring states are laughing away with the very kind of folly and wasted opportunity and resources of the people in the name of serving the nation, wondering as to how Naga parents are allowing their children to the camp of the adversaries to train for anti-Naga activities back home. Few sections of the Nagas are today deliberately embracing it, despite the fact that it serves the interest of the adversaries. Today, the younger generations are increasingly accepting the artificial political boundaries as the social and cultural boundaries, despite the fact that Nagas are homogeneous and one. This perhaps could be blamed to the kind of Indian education we are imparted upon, completely ignoring the Nagas
historical perspective and deliberately encouraging to develop apathy towards the movement, thereby indefinitely postponing the search for solution. Thanks to the nationalist leaders, who kept the national issue alive locally and internationally.
As eternal vigilance is the price of democracy, eternal sentinelism is the only option, lest while we nap, the freedom may be snatched. The challenges of the Naga nationalist are overwhelming, every Naga army is a foot soldier, intelligence gatherer, strategist or analyst, trainer, torch bearer, government, economist, arm manufacturers, scientist, social engineer, messenger of peace and hope, freedom fighter, diplomats or ambassador, advocate of justice, forest and border guards, law enforcement agency, educationist, spiritualist, legislator, negotiator, constitutionalist, philosopher and so on anchored in one single individual and the chances of them committing mistakes are very high, yet the Nagas are increasingly unforgiving. However, giving up is not the option we can take. The strength of the adversaries like India is overwhelming, with various departments, each independently manned by different individuals of different qualifications yet we have sustained this far. The chances of the enemies exploiting the in-competencies are very real, and yet we are taking the bait. It will be unwise on the part of the Nagas to assume that adversaries are always from outside the system, as infiltration of the so-called traitors can be within the nationalists and within our home propagating unification and peace, extremely watchful of the burning issue hijacking the limelight and stealing the show. Nagas should sternly demand for a clear-cut differentiation between self-imposed selfish opinion and real public opinion. Thanks to the younger generations and the old alike which are withstanding the onslaught of the overcharged word—unification devoid of unity. Statement for statement sake without modalities for unity and peace cannot work out. Semblance peace is not real peace. The enemies of the Nagas are today flirting and exploiting the overdue unification of the Nagas itself as the weapons to thwart the process of reconciliation for settling the Indo-Naga political crisis, deliberately putting the cart before the horse, and thus jamming the whole process to real unification. There is no denying the fact that a train cannot run until the rail track has been laid, thus without the acceptable modalities and road map for unification, the process cannot be initiated. However, cautious treading of the issues cannot be translated as anti-reconciliation, anti-unification and anti-peace. Nagas as a whole are overwhelmingly for reconciliation and unification if the real road map and modalities are heading to the right direction. It should be extremely cautious, for we are treading on the future of millions of the younger generations of Nagalim, which can be easily exploited by the detractor. Each time, the vigilant Naga citizen raises its concern, the adversaries, and detractors change its colour. Nagas let us beware!
(The writer is a Shillong-based Lecturer in Political Science)
The author can be contacted at ngmahongnao@gmail.com">ngmahongnao@gmail.com
Beautiful and memorable things on NH 39 Nagaland Post
National Highway 39, (NH 39) has been much in the News recently: to the people of Manipur bitterly and to many in Nagaland with grave concern. NH39 has played significant roles in the life of Nagaland and in the life of Manipur.
The first time the Nagas saw a white skinned Man was in 1832 when the East India Company soldiers, accompanied by a thousand of Raja Gumbir Singh’s of Manipur, in search of a direct route from Manipur to Assam, marched from Imphal to Dimapur, formerly ‘Manipur Road Station’ for the Postal and Railway Departments. If the Company chroniclers are to be believed, the Nagas opposed them ‘every inch of the passage’.
Orthodox Hindu Bullock Carts were the first wheeled Carts to use the tortuous nearly 320KM or so of the dusty Imphal-Dimapur road that took the Caravan more than a week for a one-way journey. The Manipur caravan of hundred Bullock Carts used to halt at Kohima where Kezieke Market today is, near Jain Temple, one of the oldest buildings in Kohima, built before the WWII in 1926 and still standing. The bullock carts aside, one of the curious things the Angamis found about the Travelers was their (the traveler’s) aversion to other people going near them when they cook. If the Nagas do so much as to let even their shadow fall on the traveler’s food, they would throw away their foods in much consternation for fear it would dirty their soul!
The first time any modern vehicle that used the Road was reported to be 1912 when the Vice-Roy of India visited Imphal in a Car and held the Durbar there. Incidentally, nowhere is Mussaenda flower more beautiful, more attractive or more poetic than at Lalmati near Kohima Municipal dumping ground on the National Highway 39. In matchless Polka dot pattern; pure snowy white Mussaenda flowers dot the natural green carpet of fresh, emerald summer vegetation along and above the road as if some Fairies are displaying their exquisite flower arrangements Show in nature.
If the English New Testament were to be translated from the Angami Bible, Luke 12: 27 would read like this: “Consider how the Mussaendas grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his splendor was not dressed like one of these”
Like ‘Rose of Sharon’ whose exact identity is not known, Scholars say; the exact species of “lilies of the field” is not known and the Angami New Testament has ‘Te-rhuo-biepou’ (Mussaenda luteola?) for ‘the lilies of the field’ though an actual white lily (Tenya Vathou), less majestic, is found in the field.
The Writer has been doing up & down, up & down and down & up for the past better part of Heptads Decades on the NH39, turning the head from right side to the left; from left side to the right, looking for wild flowers. And NH39 has no end to its surprises. Just this month, a small plant with tiny flowers, never before seen, in clusters of perfect white balls stood in an unpretentious roadside as if it is witnessing to all passersby the Glory of God; and not wanting to break the whole small plant, the top of a small branch with beautiful balls of tiny flowers were taken and planted in the Garden. It is surviving!
There are only two memorable pre-WWar II trees still standing alive on the roadside of the NH 39: one Cassia fistula nearly 80 years and perhaps a witness to all the Tanks, mountain Guns, and all the races of allied soldiers that were taken to Kohima and Imphal that defeated the luckless Japanese, stands dead and mute and leafless at the old Chumukedima Check Post. One of the living tree, a tall Peepal (Ficus religiosa?) stands opposite Mauzadar Office in Purana Bazaar, on the top of which in late 1940s Vultures, now almost extinct, would perch, manufacturing white chemicals from the flesh of dead cows and animals they scavenged in Dimapur area and constantly dropping their liquid end-products from their posterior end what their anterior end had consumed, on the road surface bellow.
The memorable thing about the stony Cart road of early nineteenth century, now National Highway 39, is that, it takes the sons today only 1.5 hr by Car for what it took their fathers 2 full days on foot to go from Kohima to Dimapur two generations ago. Thanks to the Border Road Organization, they have surfaced the whole distance within the time limit they promised i.e. March 2010. The BRO must greatly be troubled by the land owners quarrying of stones on the roadsides and they have put up signboards declaring stone quarrying as “illegal”. Unfortunately for the BRO, Stone Quarrying is not illegal in Nagaland where the Government has no stone Quarry and the land owners have every freedom to extract Stones found in their property.
It is the Government of Nagaland to prosecute those who damage the very very costly Roads, National or State’s. Stone is one of the most important resources of Nagaland and no bonafide villager need be deprived of this resource, yet Roads are the life line of the State and the economic destiny of the whole State and the Government of Nagaland must strictly ensure that nobody damage the precious common Property.
And one thing that one does not understand however is, how and why an Organization such as big as the Border Road Organization still uses broken branches of wild plants snapped from anywhere in the jungle as Broom to swipe clean the road and why must it take more than 3 years to construct a small Steel bridge at Peducha NH39 while huge old Wimbley Stadium in London was demolished in just a matter of seconds and reconstructed bigger and extra-modern in just two years to accommodate Olympic in 2012?
Thepfulhouvi Solo.
Big brother and two sisters
The Centre, over the years, has conveyed an impression to the Northeast that greater the violence and more intransigent the posturing, better the chances of New Delhi sitting up and taking note of an agitation. No wonder, Manipur is generally seen to have had a raw deal vis-à-vis neighbouring Nagaland
Manipur, a wronged State -- By Prakash SinghSunday Pioneer
Of all the states in the Northeast, Manipur has generally had a raw deal. No wonder, the Meiteis feel alienated and the State has the largest number of separatist or secessionist outfits.
Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh signed the merger agreement on September 21, 1949, and the State became a part of the Indian Union on October 15, 1949. However, to begin with, Manipur was classified as a Part C State. It became a full-fledged State in 1972 only after a prolonged agitation. The Nagas, who had rebelled against the Government, were given statehood in 1963.
The Meiteis had also to agitate for the recognition of their language, which was included in the Eighth Schedule as late as 1992.
The Manipuris — a majority of whom are Vaishnavite Hindus — are also greatly agitated over the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Issac-Muivah)’s demand for Greater Nagaland, which includes the hill areas of Manipur. In 2001, the Government of India, under pressure from Naga rebels, announced the extension of ceasefire to the Naga-inhabited areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. The Meiteis became very apprehensive and thought that the extension was a prelude to the dismemberment of the State. Thus began a fierce agitation in the course of which the State Assembly was burnt down. The police opened fire, killing 18 protesters.
The Centre realised its folly and announced that the ceasefire would be limited to the boundaries of Nagaland. However, the damage had already been done. The general impression in the Northeast is that those who take up arms and perpetrate violence can blackmail the Centre into getting their demands conceded, even if partially.
The recent events, when Manipur’s lifeline was choked, are to be seen in the above context. On April 12, the All Naga Students Association of Manipur (ANSAM) began an economic blockade on NH-39 (Dimapur-Imphal) and NH-53 (Silchar-Imphal) to protest against the State Government’s decision to hold the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections in the tribal hill districts on the ground that the ADC Act “suppresses tribal rights”.
The United Naga Council (UNC) supported the blockade. Left with very little choice, the State Government declared ANSAM president David Choro and UNC president Samson Remei “wanted”.
The crisis was compounded when NSCN leader Thuingaleng Muivah decided to visit his ancestral village in Ukhrul district of Manipur, and the Centre asked the state governments of Nagaland and Manipur to provide him security. Manipur, however, decided to oppose the visit as it felt Muivah would exploit the occasion to inflame passions in favour of Greater Nagaland.
The Guwahati High Court, meanwhile, directed the Manipur Police to arrest leaders of the two tribal student bodies, which had imposed the economic blockade. Muivah, starting from Hebron, arrived at Viswema near the Nagaland-Manipur border. The Manipur Government had, meanwhile, deployed forces at Mao Gate on the inter-State border to prevent his entry. The NSCN at this stage jumped into the fray. The Nagas demonstrated at Mao Gate, protesting against the ban on Muivah’s visit to his village. The police lobbed teargas shells and opened fire, resulting in the death of two students.
On May 11-12, Union Home Secretary GK Pillai and interlocutor for Naga peace talks RS Pandey met Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh and Muivah in Imphal and Kohima respectively. The deadlock, however, could not be resolved.
All this, while the people of Manipur were put to great suffering. The prices of essential commodities skyrocketed. Petrol was selling at Rs 170 a litre, while a cylinder of cooking gas cost Rs 1,800. Life-saving medicines were out of stock. Operations could not be performed in hospitals for want of drugs and in the absence of oxygen cylinders.
The saner sections became active. A delegation of All Manipur Christian Organisation visited Kohima on June 8 and held talks with Naga civil society leaders to lift the blockade. The Home Secretary threatened action if the impasse continued. On June 14, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met a delegation of Naga Students Federation (NSF). Soon after, NSF leader Samuel said they had decided to “temporarily suspend the blockade”. On June 16, the Home Secretary had a meeting with Manipur Chief Secretary DS Poonia and Additional Chief Secretaries of Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir and Toshi Aier, whereat it was decided to send a convoy of trucks to Imphal under heavy security.
The ANSAM finally relented and announced its decision on June 18 to lift the blockade. The decision was actually taken at a joint meeting of the Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation, United Naga Council, Naga Women’s Union of Manipur and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights in Kohima.
Manipur’s agony was finally over, but not before 68 days of sufferings, which is no credit to the Central or State governments.
Muivah’s visit had political overtones. The NSCN fished in troubled waters and exacerbated the situation. The NSF and ANSAM displayed intransigence. The Government of Nagaland pretended to be helpless. The Government of Manipur could have shown some flexibility. Worse, the Government of India remained a spectator until the misery of Manipur reached a flashpoint.
The root causes of the unfortunate events need to be understood. The Centre has over the years given an impression that the more violence you indulge in, the excessive intransigence you show, the greater would be the possibility of your being heard and recognised in Delhi. The ANSAM and the NSF indulged in what was in plain and simple terms blackmail. It is not understood why the Prime Minister had to meet a delegation of the NSF. It would have been enough if they were allowed access to the Union Home Secretary.
It is also sad to see Muivah being treated like the head of a state. It is time the rebel Nagas — and the other insurgents groups of the Northeast — were told in unmistakable terms that while their genuine aspirations would be met and the entire region economically developed, there would be no re-drawing of state boundaries in the region and that there was no question of “sovereignty” of any ethnic group or area being recognised.
The Government of India interlocutor and the NSCN (IM) leaders have been going round the mulberry tree for the past 13 years. They should come to grips with the ground realities and resolve the issue once and for all.
-- The writer is a former Director General of the Assam Police
Don’t give in to Naga strong-arm tactics -- By BB Kumar
The people of Manipur have suffered immensely for over two months due to economic blockade of two National Highways — NH 39 and NH 53 — by the Naga Students Federation (NSF) and All Naga Students Association of Manipur (ANSAM). The blockade severed Manipur’s links with the rest of the country. Apart from the acute shortage of essential commodities and forbidding high prices, the movement of the people was also restricted. Although the NSF decided to lift the blockade after the Union Government decided to use force, it was not the first time that the Naga outfit indulged in such reckless and irresponsible activities, to the hardship to the people of Manipur.
The current crisis started when National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Issac-Muivah) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah decided to visit his native village, Somdal, a Tangkhul Naga village in Ukhrul district of Manipur. The State Government, apprehending a law and order problem and political unrest as NSCN(IM) has for long been agitating to merge Naga-inhabited districts of Manipur into Greater Nagaland, denied him entry. NSCN supporters cried hoarse, saying it was the Government of India that had assured Muivah of his visit to Manipur.
It needs mention that the proposed visit of the rebel leader was a private one. Except for the fact that he had been accorded a Z+ security cover in New Delhi, it was none of the Centre’s business to facilitate his visit to Manipur. Again, it is not for the first time that someone has been stopped from visiting a place. State Governments routinely prevent Hindu and Muslim religious leaders from visiting certain regions during communal tension. The Centre does not come in the picture in such cases.
Also, a Home Secretary is not expected to intervene every time a sadhvi or a maulana is prevented from visiting a communally-sensitive area. Similarly, the Centre’s interlocutor RS Pandey’s expected role is to conduct negotiations with Naga rebels, and not act as a facilitator of their visits to sensitive regions!
Needless to say, the whole affair needs re-examination and new policy initiatives in the light of following points:
• Insensitivity of the Nagas towards the sufferings of their neighbours, their constant myth-making and superiority complex;
• Sensitivity of the people of Manipur towards unjust Naga demands;
• Failure of the Central and State Governments in handling the situation.
First, let’s talk about Naga insensitivity.
Muivah and his outfit, in the guise of holding peace talks with the Centre, have indulged in massive extortions, besides assisting other insurgent groups to find feet in the region, increasing their own cadre base and forcibly converting Hindu/Vaishnavite Noctes and Buddhist/Hindu Tangsas to Christianity. They have also tried to disturb the ethnic equilibrium in the region by claiming Assam’s North-Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong districts as parts of Greater Nagaland, and are busy waging fratricidal war in Naga-inhabited areas. And what the Centre does in return is to extend dubious “ceasefires” to the outfit!
Muivah, as well as the NSF, often talk of the “unique” history and “undisputed identity” of the Nagas. In reality, they have scant understanding of the same. Both indulge in myth-making. The NSF is so afraid of discovering the reality that in 2003, it tried to ban a research on their history and identity by non-Naga scholars.
Despite all the brouhaha over “unique history” and “distinct Naga identity”, historically, there was no such thing as ‘Naga’. Even as late as 1954, Verrier Elwin found people living in present day Nagaland to be unaware of the term ‘Naga’. Hokishe Sema, too, observes in Emergence of Nagaland: “For long this appellation of ‘Naga’ was resented to by these people, till political expediency caused it to be accepted as describing the separate identity of these people as distinct from other ethnic tribal people and also from the people in the country at large.” Ethnically, culturally and linguistically, Nagas are one of the most diverse groups in the country.
In this case, an encounter with an elderly Chang is worth quoting: “We were calling ourselves Chang. You people came and told us that we are Nagas, and we started calling ourselves Nagas. We started learning Hindi, but you told us to learn English, and we started learning English.”
Both NNC and NSCN claim ‘Naga independence’ since time immemorial. In reality, the Nagas had lived peacefully not only under Assamese rulers — both Ahom and Kachari — but also Meitei and Singhpho chiefs. So much of myth-making!
Manipur, on the other hand, was an ancient kingdom with about 2,000 years of recorded history. No wonder Manipuris were hurt when Nagas got full-fledged statehood before them. Now, with the NSCN clamouring for Greater Nagaland, they fear the Centre might once again let them down by allowing the four northern Manipuri districts — Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel — to be merged with Nagaland. That was also the reason why Manipur witnessed violence when the area of operation of the “ceasefire” was extended to the State.
Manipur had two Tangkhul Naga Chief Ministers who occupied that post several times. They also had a Muslim Chief Minister. In such a case, it’s difficult for the Manipuris to comprehend why the Nagas cannot stay with them.
As for the Centre’s inanity, even the conscientious Nagas accept that Nagaland was granted statehood in a hurry, without obtaining widest consensus among the people. Moreover, the move sent a wrong signal that it is only violence and social distancing that pay in the Northeast.
Statehood made Nagaland a resource-rich area, full of opportunities, whereas the neighbouring regions remained resource-poor and devoid of opportunities. Thus, the neighbours were tempted to replicate the Nagaland experiment elsewhere in the region, resulting in several insurgent movements in the Northeast. Naga insurgency, therefore, is the mother of all insurgency in the region. And the Centre’s miscalculations its father!
It’s time the vicious cycle was broken. The Nagas must think and work in development parameters, rather than chasing a mirage, thereby destabilising the Northeast. They must realise they can’t hold Manipur to ransom all the time.
-- The author is the editor of the Quarterly Dialogue. He has written several books on the North-East, including Naga Identity
Frans on 06.27.10 @ 10:12 AM CST [link]
